The Many Types of Kitchen Faucets: Different Styles & Functionality

Picking out a kitchen faucet is an easy task, right? You might change your mind about that once you realize how many types of kitchen faucets there are.

For help with narrowing down the vast selection, check out this guide to kitchen faucets. We'll break down the many available features so you can settle on the best types of kitchen faucets for your home.

Mounting Holes

Faucet fixtures connect to your plumbing through holes in your counter, sink or wall. Some styles require just one hole, but many need two or more.

Single Hole

With this style, only the spout needs a hole. The handles attach directly to the spout, so they don't require their own openings.

Multiple Holes

Many faucet styles need two or three holes in order to accommodate both the spout and the handles.

Widespread

With this style, each spout and handle is given its own hole. Widespread layouts usually require two or three holes.

Centerset

This style is arranged similarly to a widespread faucet, but a plate covers the area with the holes. Therefore, the spout and handles look like one cohesive unit.

Bridge

In a bridge setup, the pipes that connect the hot and cold water supplies sit above the sink. The spout doesn't need its own hole, so this configuration typically requires two holes – one for each handle.

A bridge faucet is ideal in a kitchen design with a historical feel.

Placement

Where your faucet is mounted is just as important as how it is mounted.

Deck

Most faucets attach to the sink or the countertop behind it. If you want a sink-mounted faucet, the number of holes in the sink must match the number required by your faucet.

To learn more about the relationship of your sink style to your faucet, watch the following video:

Wall

Other faucets mount to the wall above the sink. This requires a different plumbing configuration than a deck-mounted faucet, so it should be planned early in the renovation process.

Spouts

The spout is the part of the faucet from which the water is delivered. Spouts come in a variety of shapes.

Standard

Also known as a straight spout, a standard spout usually sits fairly close to the top of the sink. This can provide an understated look in kitchens where you don't want the sink to be the main focus.

Gooseneck

With a tall neck that curves like an upside-down "J," a gooseneck spout provides ample clearance between the spout and the sink. This can be handy for washing dishes or filling large pots.

Crook

A faucet with this dramatic design extends fairly straight out at first, but it ends in a curve resembling a shepherd's crook.

Articulated

A faucet with angular bends is articulated. You can manipulate the faucet along its joints to direct the stream toward an exact point.

Handles

A sink has one or more controls to turn the flow on or off and adjust the temperature.

Single Handle

In this arrangement, one handle is used to control the water temperature. It can be turned all the way hot, all the way cold or somewhere in the middle.

Dual Handles

Often, there are separate handles for hot and cold water. If you need warm water that's not too hot and not too cold, you must turn both handles to achieve your perfect blend.

Touch-free

These faucets have motion sensors that start the flow when your hands move near them. Some have pre-set temperature controls. Others are equipped with an adjustable handle with which you can set the temperature and start the flow manually.

A touch-free faucet is a convenient feature if your hands are often covered with sticky dough or juice from raw meat.

Touch-on

Some faucets require only a gentle tap to begin the flow. You can do this with your hand or use your wrist, your elbow or another body part if your hands are messy.

Hoses and Sprayers

Your sink setup becomes more versatile when it includes an extendable sprayer.

Pull-down

When a faucet extends straight down, it's called a pull-down faucet. It allows you to aim the water closer to a spot beneath the faucet.

Pull-out

A pull-out faucet is similar to a pull-down one, but the attached hose extends toward you. It's often more flexible, which allows you to direct it all around the sink.

Separate Sprayer

Some sinks have a separate sprayer mounted next to the faucet. This arrangement requires an extra mounting hole.

Special Features

If you want to take your kitchen to the next level in terms of functionality or design, consider one of these specialty faucets.

Water Dispenser

Some faucets have built-in dispensers that produce hot or cold water for drinks or cooking. The dispenser may have an attached water filter.

Commercial Faucet

Designed with pro features in mind, a commercial kitchen faucet has a high neck that's wrapped in springs. The end usually has a powerful extendable sprayer.

These faucets can be a great fit for contemporary kitchens, but they don't usually work as well in traditional designs.

Pot Filler Faucet

This is a specialty faucet that mounts above your stove for conveniently filling pots. These faucets are usually articulated.

Keep in mind that many of these types of kitchen faucets are not mutually exclusive. For example, you might choose a deck-mounted gooseneck faucet with touch-on capabilities.

The best types of kitchen faucets for your home will depend on your cooking style and your desired look. You can even combine multiple styles in one kitchen by placing different faucets on your main sink and your island sink.

For more design tips, contact NDA Kitchens to schedule a free consultation.